Bikers to deliver toys to children's home Sunday

This year's Windjammers Toy run will take place this coming Sunday, with the ride starting at the Cleveland County Mall. (Star file photo)

By Jessica Pickens / jpickens@shelbystar.com

Published: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 05:20 PM.

The response from the children is overwhelming.

Since 1991, the Windjammers have been bringing gifts to the children of the Cleveland County Children’s Home. Sunday will mark the 24th year the Windjammers have done a toy ride.

“One of our first years, I was asked to make a list of items we needed. The Windjammers got every item on the list,” said Cleveland County Children’s Home director Margie Christopher. “They load their motorcycles and trucks with toys, and they also give us a monetary donation that funds our recreational activities such as school pictures or trips to the fair.”

Helping the children at the Children’s Home is important to the Windjammers, because they are the future of the county, said the Windjammers' President, Shaky.

“These children are in the home for different reasons, and none of them are their fault,” Shaky said. “They are the future of the county and it is wonderful to help them out when everybody they’ve ever known has let them down. We like to make their lives better, brighter and happier.”

Motorcycles and riders will gather at about noon at Cleveland County Mall in Shelby. At 11 a.m., special guest Bobby Brantley of Lizard Lick Towing will be at the mall and will lead the toy ride parade.

The Windjammers will sell raffle tickets for a 125cc Red Four Wheeler and other door prizes, such as a carport from Carolina Carports. Shaky expects at least 1,000 riders.

Since 1991, the Windjammers have been bringing gifts to the children of the Cleveland County Children’s Home. Sunday will mark the 24th year the Windjammers have done a toy ride.

“One of our first years, I was asked to make a list of items we needed. The Windjammers got every item on the list,” said Cleveland County Children’s Home director Margie Christopher. “They load their motorcycles and trucks with toys, and they also give us a monetary donation that funds our recreational activities such as school pictures or trips to the fair.”

Helping the children at the Children’s Home is important to the Windjammers, because they are the future of the county, said the Windjammers' President, Shaky.

“These children are in the home for different reasons, and none of them are their fault,” Shaky said. “They are the future of the county and it is wonderful to help them out when everybody they’ve ever known has let them down. We like to make their lives better, brighter and happier.”

Motorcycles and riders will gather at about noon at Cleveland County Mall in Shelby. At 11 a.m., special guest Bobby Brantley of Lizard Lick Towing will be at the mall and will lead the toy ride parade.

The Windjammers will sell raffle tickets for a 125cc Red Four Wheeler and other door prizes, such as a carport from Carolina Carports. Shaky expects at least 1,000 riders.

“The children who have experienced the toy ride before are excited,” Christopher said. “Those who never have experienced it hear the motorcycles in the distance and it sounds like thunder. Their eyes get big, they start running around the lawn and then when they see Santa Claus they get so excited that they start jumping up and down.”

The Windjammers will leave the Cleveland County Mall at 1:30 p.m. and take Marion Street to the court square, travel down highway 74 and up to Aaron’s House at the Cleveland County Children’s Home in Lattimore.

After the children receive their gifts, they thank the Windjammers and present a Christmas poem to the riders, Christopher said.

Those who participate in the ride will gather at the mall for barbecue and hold the raffle drawing.

“We try to make a difference in the lives of the children,” Shaky said. “We have even met several adults that were at the Children’s Home as children and they will come up to you at the mall or the grocery store and say thank you. That’s really special.”